Karel Raška

Czech physician and epidemiologist

Karel Raška in 1969

Karel Raška (17 November 1909 – 21 November 1987) was a prominent Czech physician and epidemiologist who played a crucial role in the global eradication of smallpox. He is best known for developing the "surveillance and containment" strategy that was instrumental in the successful eradication of the disease.

Early Life and Education

Karel Raška was born in Stráž, a small town in what is now the Czech Republic. He pursued his medical studies at the Charles University in Prague, where he graduated in 1933. His early career was marked by a strong interest in infectious diseases, which led him to specialize in epidemiology.

Career

Raška's career in epidemiology began in earnest during the Second World War, when he worked on controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases in occupied Czechoslovakia. After the war, he became the director of the Czechoslovak Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

World Health Organization

In 1963, Raška joined the World Health Organization (WHO) as the head of the Division of Communicable Disease Control. It was during his tenure at the WHO that he developed the "surveillance and containment" strategy for smallpox eradication. This approach focused on identifying and isolating outbreaks rather than mass vaccination, which proved to be more efficient and effective.

Smallpox Eradication

Raška's strategy was implemented globally in the late 1960s and 1970s. The method involved intensive surveillance to detect cases of smallpox, followed by rapid containment measures to prevent further spread. This approach was pivotal in the eventual declaration of the eradication of smallpox in 1980.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from the WHO, Raška returned to Czechoslovakia, where he continued to contribute to the field of epidemiology through teaching and research. He passed away in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of innovation in public health.

Raška's work has had a lasting impact on the field of epidemiology and public health, influencing strategies for dealing with infectious diseases worldwide. His contributions are celebrated in the history of medicine, particularly in the context of disease eradication efforts.

Related Pages

• Smallpox
• Epidemiology
• World Health Organization
• Charles University